Hot-water heating system.



J. W. GAMBLE.

HOT WATER HEATING SYSTEM. ArrLwATIon FILED DEC. 24, 1909 1,1 14,247. Patented 00s. 20, 1914.

* 2 sums-sum 1.

WITNESSES 5.. W. GAMBLE. HOT WATER HEATING SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED D3014, 1909.

1 ,1 14,247, Patented Oct. 20, 1914.

' 7 z SHEETS-SHEET 2 UNITED. STATES PATENT onnron.

JOSEPH W. GAMBLE, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 JOSEPH S. LOVERIN G WEAR-TON, WILLIAM S. HALLOWELL, AND JOHN C. JONES, ALL OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, DOING BUSINESS AS FIRM OF HARRISON SAFETY BOILER WORKS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

HOT-WATER HEATING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December '24, 1909. Serial No. 534,812.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH W. GAMBLE, a citizen of the United States of America, residing in the city and count of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsyli ania, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Hot-Water Heating Systems, of which the following is a true and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

My present invention relates to heating systems in which the heating medium is hot water.

The object of the inventionis the production of a simple, reliable and effective heating system in. which a heater like the well known open feed water heaters for heating boiler feed water or the like may be advantageously employed for heating the water circulated through the radiators by the direct action on the water of the steam. In the open feed water heaters referred to, a heating chamber is provided into which the water to be heated, and steam for heating it, are' both admitted, suitable overflow .connections being provided to insure the presence of a steam space'in the upper portion of the chamber.

The various features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, however, and the advantages possessed by it, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which I have illustrated and described several of the forms in which the invention ma be embodied.

(If the drawings, Fi re 1 is a diagrammatic elevation of one orm of apparatus in which my invention may be embodied. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of an overflow connection for the heater which may be employed. Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of one of the loaded valves which may be emloyed with the system shown in Fig. 1.

ig. 4 is a diagrammatic elevation of a portion of a system difiering in some respects from those shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Fig. '5 is a view, similar to Fig. 1, showing a modification differing in some respects from those shown in Figs. 1 and 4, and Fig. 6

Patented Oct. 20, 1914.

fications of the invention similar partsare designated by the same reference symbol throughout.

Referring first to the apparatus shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 8, A represents the heater proper which is of the type in common use and well known as open feed water heaters. As shown, it comprises a chamber havin a steam inlet pipe B leading to the cham er through an oil separator B, as is usual, 9. water inlet pipe C leadi into the upper end of the chamber, splas trays or baflles D located in the upper portion of the chamber beneath the discharge from the pipe C, an outlet pipe E for hot water, and an overflow outlet F for preventing the water level in the chamber from rising above the outlet F. As shown, the outlet F leads into a receptaole F from the bottom of which leads an escape pipe F ,the pipe F being controlled by a valve F 3 whichis operated by a float F to which it is connected through a rock shaft F mounted within the chamber F. From the upper end of the heater leads the standpipe G, controlled by the loaded relief valve G, as is usual, to limit the steam pressure in the heater.

The outlet pipe E from the heater is connected to the inlet of a circulating pump X which is shown as a centrifugal pump and may be driven by an electric motor or other driving mechanism not shown. The outlet from the pump X is connected to the pipe H which carries the water moved by the pump to the radiators K. The pipe H includes one or more suitable check valves H and is connected at some suitable point to an expansion tank J by the branch pipe J. The radiators K have their inlets connected by pipes K to the supply pipe H..

The outlets of the radiators are connected by pipes K to the return pipe L. The usual hand regulating valves K should be provided in the outlet connections K or the inlet connections K, or preferably in both connections of the radiator.

In the form shown in Fig. 1, the pipe L and the pipe H beyond the radiators are each connected through the U shaped seal pipe M to the-water inlet pipe C of the heater. Ad'acent the seal pipe 'M arloaded valve Ov is pla'ced in the pi e L and a s milar loaded valve P is place to close the pipe in which it is placed except when the pressure in the pipe-back of the v ,valve rises to a predetermined value. Many different, forms otwalves ma be 'used for this purpose. In the form the valveQ, shown in Fig. 3, the inlet 0 and the outlet O of, the valve are separated by a valve seated or't O coiitrolled by the valve "disk O. T 'e latter 'isnbrm'ally held on its seat' by a spring Q, the tension of which may be adjusted by a threaded spindle 0. As 'be- 'fore ihdicxtdfthe valve 1? is, or m y-be,

. the same'in 'design as'the'valve O.

.forced bythe latter through paratus shown .In the operation of the a 'om the heater and permitwater to flow throughthe'valve when the pressure. of the water entering the va iw s is. e o being 11 from opening under the head of the water filling the; radiators. In consequence, the

' valve keeps the-radiators filled with water but opens to permit the circulation through the radiators when thepunip X is inoperation. The valve? is set to, ope'ngat a pressure slightl above that at which the valve O opens cdn'slequencq the valve is normally closed while the valves K. are all 0 W en, y eemof. th of t 'e valves K of all or a "ortion'jof the r adi ators, it becomesyim'possi le'to pass any or a portion of the water-circulated 'by the pump X throu hlthe .pipe' and'the pressure at the end 9 "the pipeH remote from the pump rises accordingly, the valve I opens toper v mit the circulationto be'maiiitained.

Instead of employing a loaded valve to prevent too free afiow' of water away from the radiators, a looped. pipe Q, 'may be employed'to connect the'pipeL' to'the seal as shown in Fig. 4. ,Itwillbe understood that the top ofstheloop Q, is carried a. suitable-distance above the tops ofthe radiators K. To prevent the looped .pipe Q, from siphoning the water out-of the radiators a vent connection, should befmade. to the up per end of the'lqop "Fig-f4 the vent connection is formed by' a pipe running in e p p The purpose of each ofthe valves 0 aud lfis 'ge deterniined pressure, the cientfto prevent the valve from thetop of'the loop Q. to the heating chamber .of the-heater a TSi il' ly as iii-Fig, 1, the valve P may be re laced b -a lo.op; ;U, as'is-also shown in 1g. 4 I the-,loot gfl isemploiyiedin conjunction with a loop Q, between t e seal pipe LM andithegpipe L, as shown in Fig. 4, the n top of the loop U should preferably be of the loop T he top of the loop should be suitably vented as by a branch pipe R "connected to the pipe R.

With the form's'fo'fthe' invention shownin Figs: flja-nd 4, the circulating pump must work,'against-th'e head due to the elevation of the radiatorsabove the heater, and no advantaeis had in the operationofthe pump cm the head of water passing through the return pipes. In some cases this loss of head may be" objectionable, and in Fig. 5 I- have shown an arrangement by which-this losso'f head may be avoided. In the form of the invention shown in Fig.4 5, the heater is=located above the level of the radiators and in consequence the only head of water against which the circulating p'ump must work is that due to the difference in elevation between the water level in the tank and t-he top-loop of the return connections whichjneed be only a few feet,-' lus, of course, the apparent head due to t e' frictional' 'resistaiice to the flow of water vention no loaded valve is necessaryin the return pipe L as the'disposition of the pipe consequent on the superior elevation of the through this return connection; though of course'it is desirable to employ some 'arrangement of pipe connection or loaded flow of water through the extension of the pipe H forming a bypass around the return pipeL whensuch' extension is employed as herein'after'fiesoribed;" Y a Inthe form of the apparatus shown in above "the upper-sprint of the pipe L and the water in'the pipeQ' :This extension H is vented at its upper' level as by the-pipe H runnin tot-he heater tank. 1

In Flg. 6 aloaded valve P is the pipe H as in Fig. 1.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the heating system disclosed is simpleand effective, and that'it permits the a type of water heater which is in general escaping from the heater through the overflow connection F in normaloperation 'due to' the 'condensationof the steam admitted for heatingtheflwater maybeeither turned to waste or preferably used for the various placed aconsiderable distance above the top valve for increasing the-'resistance' to the employed in efiective utilization, and without change, of. development; Theexces's water constantly through the'pipes. In this form of the inheater prevents the'radiators from draining llt Fig. 5 a' po-i'tionofthe" pipe H is carried eife'ctive utilization, and without change, of

purposes for which hot water is needed. For instance it may be used as a. source of feed Water supply for steam generating boilers. The steam by which the water is heated may advantageously be exhaust steam from pumping engines or the like where such a supply is available, and in such cases the use of steam for heating water for hot water heating systems is preferable under many circumstances to the use of steam in a steam heatin system for heating the buildings or the liic which are to be heated.

For some purposes, as to facilitate filling the system initially with water, or to replenish the water supply from time to time when water is drawn from the heating system for use for any purpose faster than water is supplied by the condensation of the steam, it may be desirable to provide means for always insuring a minimum water level in the heater. In Fig. 1 I have shown an arrangement for this pu ose com rising a float W carried by a I'OC( shaft V journaled in an extension A of the heater and provided with an external arm V. The arm is connected by a rod \V to a valve Y in an auxiliary or make up water supply pipe Z. The arrangement is such that when the water level falls to some predetermined level as that indicated bv the line \V, the valve Y will open, but will be closed by float \V when the water level is above the line \V.

While in accordance with the provisions of the statutes, I have herein illustrated and described several of the forms in which the invention may be embodied, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes may he made in the apparatus shown without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish the claims hereinafter made to be limited to the particular forms of apparatus disclosed more than is made necessary by the state of the art.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a hot water heating ystem, the combination, with a water heater having a heatin chamber provided with steam and water in ets, a water outlet. and an overflow connection for limiting the height of the water level in the heater. of the radiators, a circulating ntmp for pum )ing the water throu h the radiators from tie water outlet of tie heater, and return connections between the outlets of the radiators and the water inlet of the heater arranged to prevent the passage of water from the radiators into the heater, except when the water in the radiators is under the pressure due to the operation of the pump in forcing water through the radiators, and a bypass about the radiaors throu h which water may pass from the amp to t to inlet of the heater, said bypass lieing arranged to prevent the passage of water through it except upon the rise in pressure due to the closure of some or all of the radiators against the passage of water throu h them.

2. n a hot water heating system. the combination with a water heater having a licntin chamber provided with steam and water in ets, a water outlet and an overflow connection for limiting the height. of the water in the heater, of the radiators, a circulating pump for pumping water through the radiators from the water outlet of the heater. a pi e connectin r the outlets of the radiators to tlie water in ct of the heater. a loaded valve in said pipe for preventing the passage of water from the radiators into the heater except under pressure due to the operation of the pump in forcing water through the radiators, a pipe forming a bypass about the radiators and said loaded valve, and a loaded valve in said bvpass set to open only when the pressure baclt of it is higher than that at which the first incntioned loaded valve opens.

3. In a hot water heating system, the coinbinution with a water heater having a heatin" chamber provided with steam and water inlets, a water outlet and an overflow connection for limiting the height of the water in the heater, of the radiators, a circulating pump for pumping water through the ra diators from the water outlet of the heater, a pipe connecting the outlets of the radiators t the water inlet of the heater, including provisions'for preventing the passage of water from the radiators into the heater except under pressure due to the operation of the pump in forcing water through the radiators, a pipe forming a hy-pass about said radiators, and a loaded valve in said byass set to open only when the pressure bae of it is higher than that in the radiators when the water is flowing therethrough in normal operation.

JOSEPH W. G AMBLE.

\Vit nesses:

Aanom Kara, D. S'rswxar.

Copicl of this patent may be obtained or he cent: each, by lddreuiag the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington. D. C." 

